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Helping Hands Project
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Hands Across The Water

Helping Hands Program

The Helping Hands Project was developed to assist orphanages in other countries by providing goods and money to help meet their needs in caring for the children who remain. Funds are raised through various fundraising efforts, some of which you can access through these links. The money raised is used to purchase various equipment, clothing, formula, vitamins, playground equipment, etc. Items are also collected from generous donators that include gently used children's clothing and shoes, new toothbrushes, toothpaste, vitamins, over-the-counter medications for children, etc. These items are sent to various countries with our traveling families and staff. The items we give to the families helps off-set their cost of needing to purchase items for donation.

On May 13, 2003, Junior Girl Scout Troop 901 from Ann Arbor, Michigan, came to visit Hands Across The Water. They brought with them adorable plush bears which they had made to be donated to children in an orphanage. These bears are soft and cuddly with child-safety eyes and noses that can't be chewed off! While in the HATW office, the girls identified where the countries Cambodia and Lithuania are located on our big map. They then watched 2 short videos showing an orphanage in these countries. Hands Across The Water would like to thank these girls and their troop leaders for thinking of the children in far away countries who need something snuggly to hold onto.

Please consider helping us with this project in the following ways.

Donate Items
We would be happy to accept your donation of items such as new or gently used baby or children's clothing and shoes, new toothbrushes, toothpaste, vitamins, over-the-counter medications for children, etc. Please contact the office if you have items to bring in.
 
Returnable Can & Bottle Drive
Every few months we hold a returnable can and bottle drive. You are invited to drive up to our office and we will take those returnables off your hands! The next drive is not yet scheduled, but stay tuned for details.
 
 
Adoption Stamp Lapel Pin
These are adorable pins which replicate the U.S. Postal Service's Adoption Pin. Each pin measures 1 3/8" x 1" and is in bright color. The pin is on brass and covered with a clear epoxy coating for protection and long wear. Each pin is $5. What a great, inexpensive way to recognize adoption! You can purchase pins at the HATW office or mail in an order using this form. If we need to mail the pin to you, add $3.85 for postage.
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Notecards
These adorable, colorful notecards have been designed especially for Hands Across The Water by Chine Heart Designs. Each set contains 12 cards, 3 of each design. Cards are 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. Along with the cute design on each card the word Family is written in 5 different languages on two of the cards, while the word Love is written in 5 different languages on the other two! Each set of 12 cards is $12. You can purchase these cards at the HATW office or mail in an order using this form. If we need to mail your order to you, add $3.85 for each set.
(Click for larger image)
 
Huggee Miss You Doll
This is a wonderful doll to leave with your child while both of you wait to come home together. The doll is made of a soft, huggable cotton fabric which is surface washable. The face holds any size photo up to 4" x 6" and photos slide easily in the plastic pocket. The doll is approximately 22" tall. $25 each. You can purchase these dolls at the HATW office or mail in an order using this form. If we need to mail your order to you, add $5.00.
(Click for larger image)
 
Cartridges for Kids
Hands Across The Water, in conjunction with Cartridges for Kids, is accepting used items to be recycled. HATW is given the proceeds from the recycled items for our Helping Hands projects. It's easy, and you can get rid of those unwanted items while helping a good cause. You can also collect ink cartridges from your workplace, instead of throwing them away.

Please send or drop off your recyclable items to the HATW office. HATW has earned over $200 in the short time we have been recycling!

Here is a list of what we can accept:

  1. video game consoles (include all accessories)
  2. video games (include case)
  3. Empty Inkjet Cartridges
  4. Empty Laser Cartridges
  5. Used Cell Phones
  6. Digital Cameras
  7. Laptops with power cords
  8. PDAs/Palm Pilots (include all accessories)
  9. iPods (include all accessories)
 
Kroger Card
Information coming soon.

** Photographs by Glenn B. Dettman

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